Why don't we see more headlines like this one?
Why is it when news breaks about the moral failings of popular Christian leaders or personalities, it grabs our attention like the melody of an ice cream truck gently rolling through our childhood neighborhoods? It's like we can't resist becoming engaged in something that truly has nothing to do with us. The vast majority of us don't personally know and will never meet these people, yet we feel as if it somehow involves us and the world needs us to offer our commentary.
Christian publications feel it incumbent upon themselves to print up salacious headlines designed to prey upon our human desire to be in the know or hear the juiciest gossip. Critics and detractors of these personalities immediately bristle up and go into attack mode like a herd of rabid Rottweilers. Fans & supporters put on their rose colored glasses and defend even the most vile behavior, offering grace to complete strangers that in many cases they wouldn't afford their own neighbors or friends.
As a society, we spend an inordinate amount of time attacking and defending people we don't even know. Recently a popular CHH artist was exposed for having engaged in infidelity. The arguments ensued about how people should react, when unexpectedly his clearly devastated wife took to social media to speak on his indiscretions and their impact on her and their children. Suddenly, she had become the focal point as all the talking heads pontificated about whether her diatribe was justified.
In reality, the truth is caught in the crossfire between the extremes on either side of these debates. Are we all fallible and in need of a savior? Absolutely! Should we be cautious about pronouncing harsh or premature judgement on others? Sure. Jesus talked about that in one of oft most misquoted and distorted passages in scripture, where he warned us against being hypocrites and merciless.
Yet, there is an insidious danger inherent in the modern tendency to downplay the sinful behavior of those who seek to position themselves as Christian leaders. Sometimes in the call to demonstrate grace and love we neglect to recall that scripture is very clear about the standard for leaders. It is also very clear about the consequences for those who profess to teach and lead in the faith.
Perhaps more concerning is the notion that we allow idolatry to creep into our hearts, and blur our view of the consequences of sin when it comes to figures we have elevated above everyone else. Meanwhile, we can show a severe lack of grace and clarity for someone who is truly the victim in the situation when they lash out or fall apart, because we're not as familiar with or as enamored with them.
As someone who has at least two women in my life who have suffered the immense pains of infidelity, I can tell you that it has DEVASTATING effects on them. It tears apart families. It crushes children under the overwhelming weight of sins they didn't even commit. It is the single most aggressive catalyst of divorce, which is one of the most vile and ugly things any person can experience.
If we endeavor to follow Christ and honor God, we would do well to remember that He absolutely can redeem any man, regardless of their sin. However, redemption pertains specifically to salvation and does not necessarily involve continuing in a leadership or a visible position of ministry from which one has disqualified themselves.
We would also do well to recall that we are called to love neighbors, orphans, widows, children, brethren, AND our wives... When a wife is betrayed by her husband, we should be quick to offer her the same level (and perhaps more) of the grace many are willing to afford her celebrity husband.
While we're at it, we should likewise extend those same mercies to folks in our neighborhoods and churches and put all things in a proper perspective, including not placing men on pedestals they are not worthy to inhabit. After all, that was sort of an inherent component of the 1st commandment, right?
Stay vigilant out there men. Be guarded and protect yourselves, your wives, your children, and your marriages. Don't put yourselves in situations where you might be tempted. Don't be alone with women who aren't your wives. Don't consume salacious or sexually explicit media or materials. Don't entertain lustful thoughts. Be proactive and intentional about fortifying your home front.
You can't lead anyone to God when you're running from Him and He is never in the same direction as sin.
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